Public ConsultationIn January 2009, VAFFC submitted a Project Description Report (PDR) to the BC Environmental Assessment Office in support of its application made in late November 2008 to have the project reviewed under the BC Environmental Assessment Act. The PDR presents an overview of the proposed project. Some elements of the project have not yet been finalized and are still subject to public and First Nations consultation and regulatory review and approval.
As the first stage of public outreach, VAFFC held information sessions in late February and early March, 2009 with public and First Nation consultation continuing since that time. A range of topics was discussed at these sessions, including the need for the project, safety, the environment, local community interests, the evaluation of delivery options and pipeline alignment options.
People were encouraged to offer their feedback by attending one of the sessions and filling out a feedback form. The feedback will be used to refine elements of the proposed project's design and assist in defining ongoing environmental and technical studies. For more information, please review the Information Sessions Summary Report.
Application Consultation
The proposed project has now entered a harmonized federal/provincial environmental assessment process, with the EAO coordinating the review requirements of both the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA) and BC Environmental Assessment Act (BCEAA). The review process will provide a thorough study of the project's impacts and benefits, and include an extensive public and First Nations consultation program. The project's application for a pipeline permit to the BC Oil and Gas Commission is being reviewed concurrently through the Environmental Assessment process.
VAFFC prepared draft Application Information Requirements (dAIR) for an Environmental Assessment Certificate. The dAIR specify the studies to be conducted and the detailed information to be provided by VAFFC in its application.
The AIR was finalized and approved by the EAO in late October 2010 after taking into account comments that were submitted during a public comment period, which included an open house, in spring 2010.
Following approval of the AIR, VAFFC prepared its Application for an Environmental Assessment Certificate and filed it with the EAO on January 4, 2011, for screening. The EAO accepted the Application on February 18 for review, along with supporting studies. A 180-day review of the Application is now under way, during which the project's impacts and benefits will be thoroughly reviewed, and further consultation will be held with First Nations and the public.
As part of this review, the EAO invited public comment between February 25 and April 26, 2011. On March 7, the EAO hosted an open house in Richmond, during which VAFFC provided information on the key findings of the Environmental Assessment studies and what actions it is proposing, along with an overview of the project and its benefits, and a review of the other delivery system options that VAFFC considered before submitting the proposed project to the EAO for review under the BC Environmental Assessment Act. The information is summarized in the open house storyboards.
As the project moves through the Application Review Stage, VAFFC plans to host additional open houses in spring 2011 to seek input on:
In addition to the BC and Canadian Environmental Assessment procedures, the proposed project will be subject to review under the regulatory and legislative requirements that will include:
   
MAILING ADDRESS
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Brochure Comment form Presentation boards
The presentation boards used at the Open House on March 7, 2011, are available for download. Open House presentation boards
What's New
At the request of VAFFC, the EAO granted a suspension of the time limit for the review of the application for an environmental assessment certificate, effective April 28, 2011.
The request for a 120-day suspension in the review process was made by VAFFC to allow time for the company to complete an assessment of an alternate pipeline route following Highway 99 from Steveston Highway to Bridgeport Road, and prepare a report on this alternate route for the EAO Working Group to review.
VAFFC’s decision to explore this option is a result of the City of Richmond indicating that it would prefer Highway 99 as a pipeline route should the project proceed. In order for this evaluation to proceed, VAFFC must first meet with the BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure to discuss the possibility of this option.
For more information, visit the EAO website. |
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